New Brunswick is a Canadian province located on the eastern seaboard of the North American continent. It is Canada's only officially bilingual province, with French and English sharing equal status. It is bordered by Quebec to the north, Nova Scotia to the east, the Gulf of Saint Lawrence to the northeast, the Bay of Fundy to the southeast, and the U.S. state of Maine to the west. New Brunswick is one of the Maritime provinces, along with Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, and is part of the Appalachian Mountain range. The province's capital, Fredericton, was named after King George III's son, Frederick.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Country | Canada |
Province | New Brunswick |
Capital | Fredericton |
Population | 775,610 (2021 census) |
Area | 72,908 km2 |
Language | English, French |
Religion | Christianity |
Ethnicities | Canadian, Irish, English, French, Scottish, Acadian, Mi'kmaq, Maliseet, Passamaquoddy |
GDP | CA$38.236 billion (2019) |
GDP composition | Services, construction, manufacturing, utilities, real estate rental, wholesale and retail, agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining, oil and gas extraction, transportation and warehousing |
Largest cities | Moncton, Saint John, Fredericton |
Main industries | Finance, insurance, health care, education, forestry, fishing, mining, oil and gas extraction, manufacturing, tourism |
What You'll Learn
- New Brunswick is bordered by Quebec to the north, Nova Scotia to the east, and the US state of Maine to the west
- The province is one of Canada's Maritime provinces and is the only constitutionally bilingual province in the country
- New Brunswick is about 83% forested and its northern half is occupied by the Appalachians
- The province's climate is continental with snowy winters and temperate summers
- New Brunswick was first inhabited by First Nations like the Mi’kmaq and Maliseet
New Brunswick is bordered by Quebec to the north, Nova Scotia to the east, and the US state of Maine to the west
New Brunswick is one of Canada's thirteen provinces and territories and is one of the three Maritime provinces. It is bordered by Quebec to the north, with the Gaspé Peninsula and Chaleur Bay forming part of the border. To the east, the province is bordered by the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and the Northumberland Strait. The narrow Isthmus of Chignecto connects New Brunswick to the Nova Scotia peninsula. To the south, the Bay of Fundy separates New Brunswick from Nova Scotia. The US state of Maine forms the border to the west of New Brunswick.
New Brunswick was named in honour of King George III of the United Kingdom, who was also the prince-elector of Brunswick-Lüneburg in the Holy Roman Empire (now part of Germany). The province's capital, Fredericton, was also named after King George III's son, Prince Frederick Augustus.
New Brunswick is bordered by Quebec to the north, with the Gaspé Peninsula and Chaleur Bay forming part of the border. To the east, the province shares a maritime border with the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and is bordered by the Northumberland Strait, which separates it from Prince Edward Island. The Isthmus of Chignecto forms the border with Nova Scotia to the southeast, with the Bay of Fundy also separating the two provinces. To the west, New Brunswick is bordered by the US state of Maine.
New Brunswick was named in honour of King George III, who was also the prince-elector of Brunswick-Lüneburg in the Holy Roman Empire (now part of Germany). The province's capital, Fredericton, was named after King George III's son, Prince Frederick Augustus.
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The province is one of Canada's Maritime provinces and is the only constitutionally bilingual province in the country
New Brunswick is a Canadian province that is constitutionally bilingual, with French and English as its official languages. It is one of Canada's Maritime provinces, along with Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. New Brunswick has a rich history and culture, with a large French-speaking minority (approximately 35%) and a diverse population. The province is bounded by Quebec's Gaspé Peninsula and Chaleur Bay to the north, the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and Northumberland Strait to the east, the Bay of Fundy to the south, and the US state of Maine to the west. The Isthmus of Chignecto connects New Brunswick to the Nova Scotia peninsula.
New Brunswick has a unique cultural divide created by its two founding linguistic groups, with English-speaking and Acadian French cultures rarely merging. This divide is evident in the daily lives of its residents, with separate historical roots, cultural traditions, and, in some cases, geographical separation. The province's diverse population includes people of French, English, Irish, Scottish, German, Acadian, and First Nations descent, among others.
The province has a comprehensive parallel anglophone and francophone public school system and a vibrant arts scene, including theatre, literature, and music. The capital, Fredericton, is home to cultural institutions such as the Beaverbrook Art Gallery and the University of New Brunswick.
New Brunswick's economy is service-based, with key sectors including finance, insurance, healthcare, and education. Heavy industry is concentrated in Saint John, while Fredericton is known for government services, universities, and military presence. Moncton, a commercial and transportation hub, has a sizeable francophone Acadian minority and was the country's first officially bilingual city.
New Brunswick's political landscape is characterised by two dominant parties, the Liberal Party and the Progressive Conservative Party, with occasional representation from smaller parties like the New Democratic Party and the Confederation of Regions Party. The province has a unicameral legislature with 55 seats, and its government structure ensures responsiveness to issues across the province and promotes consensus politics due to the significant francophone minority.
New Brunswick has a fascinating history, from its early indigenous inhabitants, the Sáqwéjíjk or Níkmaq, to its French colonial era and later British rule. The province joined Confederation in 1867 and has played a significant role in Canada's political and cultural landscape.
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New Brunswick is about 83% forested and its northern half is occupied by the Appalachians
New Brunswick, Canada, is about 83% forested, with its northern half occupied by the Appalachians. The province's landscape is largely defined by its significant forest coverage and Appalachian geography.
The Appalachians are a mountain range that stretches across North America, including the eastern United States and southeastern Canada. In New Brunswick, the Appalachians cover the northern half of the province, shaping its geography and contributing to its forest ecosystem.
The Appalachian region in New Brunswick is characterised by its diverse terrain, featuring highlands, valleys, and river systems. This mountainous area includes notable landmarks such as the Caledonia Highlands, the Saint Croix Highlands, the Miramichi Highlands, and the Chaleur Uplands. These highlands offer a contrast to the lowlands of the New Brunswick Lowland region in the eastern and central parts of the province.
The forests of New Brunswick are a vital part of the province's natural landscape and economy. With approximately 83% of the province covered in forests, the logging and lumber industries have historically played a significant role in the region's economic development. However, in recent decades, there has been a shift towards more sustainable forest management practices and a focus on conservation.
The northern half of New Brunswick, dominated by the Appalachians, is home to a variety of plant and animal species. The dense forests provide habitats for wildlife, including bobcats, Canada lynx, black bears, moose, and white-tailed deer. The region's river systems, such as the Saint John River and its tributaries, are also essential for the province's aquatic ecosystems.
The climate of the Appalachian region in New Brunswick is continental, with snowy winters and temperate summers. The varied elevation of the landscape influences local weather patterns, creating microclimates within the region. The northern location of the Appalachians in the province also contributes to cooler temperatures compared to other areas of New Brunswick.
The Appalachian region's forests play a crucial role in moderating the local climate. The dense tree cover helps regulate temperature and moisture levels, creating a more stable environment for the plant and animal life that call this region home.
The human population in the northern half of New Brunswick is relatively sparse compared to the southern regions of the province. The majority of the population is concentrated in urban centres located in the southern third of New Brunswick, such as Moncton, Saint John, and Fredericton. However, there are smaller communities and rural areas scattered throughout the Appalachian region as well.
The cultural diversity of New Brunswick is reflected in the province's bilingualism, with English and French recognised as official languages. The Acadian French variety is prevalent in the region, with seven regional accents found throughout New Brunswick. The province's indigenous heritage is also an integral part of its cultural landscape, with First Nations groups such as the Mi'kmaq and Maliseet having a long history in the area.
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The province's climate is continental with snowy winters and temperate summers
New Brunswick is a Canadian province with a continental climate. It has snowy winters and temperate summers. The province is bounded by Quebec's Gaspé Peninsula and Chaleur Bay to the north, the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and Northumberland Strait to the east, the Bay of Fundy to the south, and the American state of Maine to the west.
New Brunswick's climate is influenced by its location, sheltered from the Atlantic Ocean and with a large interior that is removed from oceanic influences. The province's settlement patterns and economy are based more on its river systems than its seacoasts. The major river systems include the Saint John River, Petitcodiac River, Miramichi River, Saint Croix River, Kennebecasis River, and the Restigouche River.
Summers in New Brunswick are warm, with average temperatures reaching 24.6 °C | 76.3 °F in July, the warmest month. The summer season starts in late June and ends in September, with these months being popular for visitors. Winters, on the other hand, are very cold, with temperatures dropping to an average low of -0.8 °C | 30.6 °F in January.
Precipitation is notable throughout the year, with rainfall or snowfall occurring in every month. The driest month is November, with 75 mm | 3.0 inches of precipitation, while the wettest month is July, with an average of 110 mm | 4.3 inches. The yearly temperature fluctuation is approximately 25.3 °C | 45.6 °F, and the average annual precipitation is about 1170 mm | 46.1 inches.
New Brunswick's climate and weather patterns vary across the province, with different regions experiencing distinct conditions. The province's diverse landscape, ranging from coastal areas to river valleys and mountainous regions, plays a role in the local climate. The northwestern part of the province, including the Miramichi Highlands and Chaleur Uplands, has a more rugged terrain and can experience varying weather conditions compared to the southern regions.
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New Brunswick was first inhabited by First Nations like the Mi’kmaq and Maliseet
New Brunswick, a Canadian province, was first inhabited by First Nations people, including the Mikmaq (also spelt Miꞌkmaq or Micmac) and Maliseet (also spelt Malecite or Wolastoqiyik). The Mikmaq lived along the east coast of the province, in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, while the Maliseet shared the west of the region with the Passamaquoddy, who were centred around Passamaquoddy Bay and into Maine. All three groups spoke dialects of Algonquian and greeted the French explorers when they arrived.
The Mikmaq and Maliseet are part of the Wabanaki Confederacy, and the First Nations of New Brunswick number more than 16,000. There are 31 reserves in New Brunswick held by 15 First Nations. The first known exploration of New Brunswick was by French explorer Jacques Cartier in 1534. The next French contact was in 1604, when a party led by Pierre Dugua and Samuel de Champlain set up a camp for the winter on Saint Croix Island between New Brunswick and Maine. The whole Maritime region (as well as parts of Maine) were at that time proclaimed to be part of the French colony of Acadia.
In the 18th century, the British signed a series of treaties with Indigenous peoples in what would become Atlantic Canada and the Northeastern United States, including the Mikmaq and Maliseet. Known as the Peace and Friendship Treaties, the agreements contained no monetary or land transfer provisions. Instead, the Indigenous signatories promised to live peacefully with the British, and the British promised that the Indigenous signatories would continue to have access to land and resources.
New Brunswick was separated from Nova Scotia in 1784 and became part of the Dominion of Canada in 1867. The creation of the new colony in 1784 led to the establishment of a lands committee to receive and determine land grant petitions. In the 1780s, licences of occupation emerged as a standard method for establishing reserves for the First Nations of New Brunswick. In 1789, they issued licences of occupation for what became known as the Eel Ground reserve, and in 1805 for what became known as the Red Bank, Big Hole and Indian Point Reserves. By 1810-11, the New Brunswick government had set aside 60,000 acres of land for the Mikmaq and Maliseet.
The Mikmaq and Maliseet have continued to play an important role in the culture and history of New Brunswick, with many place names in the province deriving from their languages.
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Frequently asked questions
New Brunswick is bordered by Quebec to the north, Nova Scotia to the east, the Gulf of Saint Lawrence to the northeast, the Bay of Fundy to the southeast, and the U.S. state of Maine to the west.
Fredericton is the capital of New Brunswick.
As of 2021, New Brunswick had a population of 775,610.
New Brunswick is the only officially bilingual province in Canada, with both English and French being recognised as official languages.
The currency of New Brunswick is the Canadian dollar.